Spot and ditch subscription traps: Pay only for what you truly want

How subscription traps work

A subscription trap lives on you not noticing what you’re signing up for. Typical are trial periods that silently turn into a paid subscription, prices that are only in the fine print, and cancellation paths that are deliberately hard to find. Not every subscription is a trap – but you should know what happens after you click.

Warning signs before you commit

• **“Free” but payment details required:** If a free trial already asks for a card or bank account, they’re usually planning an automatic renewal.
• **Price shown only small or per week:** “Only €2.99” sounds low – per week that’s over €150 a year.
• **Pre‑checked boxes:** Add‑ons that are already selected often cost extra.
• **Pressure:** Countdown timers, “today only” or “last spots” are meant to keep you from reading the details.
• **No clear cancellation path:** If nowhere states how and by when you can cancel, be cautious.

Subscription traps on mobile

• **In‑app purchases:** Games and apps offer subscriptions directly in the App Store. Set your phone’s settings so that every purchase requires confirmation – for kids, it’s best to require parental approval.
• **Billing via your phone bill:** Some providers charge through your mobile contract, often after a mis‑click on an ad. In Germany you can have a **third‑party block** set up for free with your mobile carrier.
• **Subscription overview:** In your phone’s App Store, under your account, you’ll find a list of all active subscriptions. Check it regularly.

How to get out

• **Cancel:** Subscriptions bought online can be terminated in Germany via a cancel button on the provider’s website, which the merchant must offer. Keep the confirmation.
• **Right of withdrawal:** For online contracts you usually have a 14‑day withdrawal period in the EU. If you didn’t realize you were signing up for a subscription, a written objection is worthwhile.
• **Reclaim debits:** You can generally reverse a direct debit with your bank within eight weeks. For card payments, ask your bank for a chargeback.
• **Don’t ignore demand letters, but don’t be intimidated:** For unjustified claims, reply in writing. Consumer protection agencies provide template letters and advice.

Prevent it in five minutes

• Add the end date of every trial period to your calendar immediately – two days before it ends.
• Once a month, review your bank statement, card statements and phone bill for recurring charges.
• For trials, use payment methods that don’t have automatic billing whenever possible.
• Delete accounts you no longer need. Our guide “Clean up old accounts” shows how.

And with Performance VPN?

With us you pay once for the chosen term. There is no automatic renewal – when the term ends, the payment stops as well. We’ll remind you beforehand, and you decide yourself whether to renew.